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color

Let me first say that color doesn’t have to be an “epic fail” if you properly care for your hair. IF! I started with boxed hair color when I was in high school. I have always had natural (non-relaxed) hair so I felt that color was a safe way to have fun with my hair without the extra precautions. That is where I failed.

Hair color is a fun way to express yourself. I have definitely expressed myself over the years. I have been every color from brown (a lighter shade than my own), blue, blonde, black, blue-black, purple, magenta, and green. I have definitely had my fair share or colors. The wilder the better. My favorite was definitely magenta… good times.

Between heat styling and coloring my hair without proper care, my hair grew but it wasn’t healthy. My curl pattern loosened and my hair looked stringy. However, I did not notice or care because I had yet to embrace natural hair styling/care, or even know what that meant. As long as my hair was still long I was #winning, right? I had no problems cutting it either. It was just hair. It would grow. That’s what hair does.

I never had a stylist tell me my hair was unhealthy when I was going on a regular basis, and paying them more money to color and/or cut my hair. It wasn’t until I stopped going to stylists regularly that I heard reports of how my hair needed this type of treatment or that kind of deep conditioning treatment. The question I always wanted to know was how much? The question I started to ask myself was did they even know the difference or was it all about the coins?

The last color I put in my hair was purple (circa 2013). I was covering the faded magenta, and I had just had all the damage that it had caused cut out. I’m not sure how it happened or even why, but soon I embarked on a natural hair journey of my own. I wish I could say that since then I have not faltered and that I have a ridiculously long mane, but that is false. I still struggle with my natural hair and understanding what it needs from me to get to the ridiculously long mane that I desire. It wasn’t the first time I embraced the natural lifestyle and I’m sure it will not be the last time that I go off track, but every year I hope to improve and in doing so retain length until I am… living the natural dream.

Take care of your color treated hair and do your homework beforehand. Check out the photo gallery below.